Disclaimer: Same old stuff I don't own Disney nor their characters. I just own my story and my characters.

The Doctor Arrives

Chapter 10

Elisa had cried out Goliath's name in the last fit of passion that rode out of her body as her lavender lover released his own growl as he held the human woman he loved in an embrace that spoke of pure and unrelenting love. Elisa was breathless as he kissed her lips and she stroked his hair.

"Wow." was all she managed to say as they lay entangled in each other's arms and limbs. Goliath's tail softly whishing the air behind him. Goliath grinned.

"A good word to describe how we feel about each other." Elisa smiled.

"I remember when you first said similar words to me." Goliath smiled and Elisa felt her heart swell as she saw the boyish expression that played across his face.

"I love you more then life itself." She said as she kissed him.

"And I you. For you are my soul mate." Elisa hugged Goliath close.

"I always knew you were mine, big guy. From day one when you caught me flying off the building, I knew when I looked in your eyes that we were connected." Goliath slowly kissed Elisa' lips.

"I knew you were mine too." He said softly.

"Especially when you knocked Demona to the ground trying to protect me from her laser blast." Elisa had to laugh before speaking.

"We were a fine pair. Both in denial for so long and knowing full well that we loved each other." Goliath held Elisa in his arms.

"Yes my love but this was something so strange and wonderful to us both that we treaded lightly out of fear of losing it." Elisa ran a finger down Goliath massive chest and softly drew circles down his suede skin.

"Yes but I believe now we've gotten over any fear we may have had." Goliath grinned as pulled Elisa on top of him.

"What fear do we have now? My love." Elisa smiled wickedly.

"None I can think of." She laughed as Goliath pulled her in to a deep kiss as the fire crackled in the fireplace.

Demona was startled when the doorbell rang. She checked her monitor and saw it was Macbeth. She opened the door and allowed him in. The Strange thing was that Macbeth carried a really large insulated backpack as he shook off the snow and hung up his coat. Demona gave him a wary look.

"Is this a trick or a treat?" She asked Macbeth as she sat down on the sofa and glanced at the television to see the host of business weekly stating the facts of lost revenue to the city because of the storms. Macbeth grinned.

"Those concerned about money will never change."

He took out a host of food as Demona inhaled what smelled like baked ham, fried chicken, fresh baked biscuits, String beans, a green bean salad plus mac and cheese with a large assortment of sweets like dark German chocolate cake and mouth watering pastries. Demona sat up and stared.

"How did you get all this food?" Macbeth laughed.

"I tell you earlier in the day you have a wonderful daughter and still you don't believe me."

He handed Demona the letter from Angela which he had in his vest pocket. She took the letter in a shaky hand and looked at the folded paper for quite some time. Macbeth went about setting up the food on the table with dishes, silverware and drinks. He stared at Demona who was still looking at the letter unopened. Macbeth spoke up.

"Well lass if you're not going read it now then come and eat. You look ragged."

Demona gave him a glare but the smell of the food was enticing. She got up and walked over to the table where Macbeth held the chair for her as they both sat down to what looked like a wonderful meal.

Thailog sat in his chair. Anton had called it an early night with Halloween now snowed in. The city was covered in snow that was still falling covering everything with a thick white sheet. Thailog felt restless. This damned snow was holding everyone indoors and he was sick of it. The weather channel stated that the snow would have a break around three o'clock in the morning.

'Perhaps a short flight around the city.' Thailog thought. His body was tense and the pain in his newly cloned limbs still ached. A flight would do him good.

Elisa sat up on the bed and brushed out her now dry hair. Goliath was still in the shower. He really loved that part of modern life. She had laid out her gown for tonight. She had surprised Goliath because they would be going to the party dressed as a 10th century lord and lady. Fox had really been the source for this idea when she mentioned that she had to talk David out of the idea because her pregnant body couldn't get into the gown.

So here it was a beautifully made crushed velvet deep green gown with a sweetheart neckline and jewels to match made out of pure gold. Elisa grinned. Mostly because beside it was the very large matching green tunic, minus the leggings, for Goliath. The castle seamstress had even made a hole for Goliaths tail and open holes for his wings.

'No loin clothe tonight.' Elisa almost laughed but then she heard her love coming from his shower wrapped in a large towel with the blow dryer in his hand.

"This machine is very funny." Elisa grinned.

'Goliath always had trouble with the blow dryer, mostly because his talons were too large for the controls.

"No worries. I've got you." She was up and gently leading Goliath to the bed as she plugged in the blow dryer and used her hair brush to brush and blow-dry his hair.

Angela was in her room with Pamela, Dorothy, Celery and Lydia. The ladies were all getting dressed for the party tonight. Pamela was wearing a witch's outfit, complete with hat and broom. Dorothy was Glenda the good witch, Celery was cat woman and Lydia was dressed as a mad scientist. Celery had laughed her head off but everyone knew it was because of the Arabian night theme dinner where Fox had Lydia nearly half dressed as a dancing girl.

That whole night Lydia was mortified by the looks that everyman in the castle had given her. Even old Donny the castle electrician had winked at her. Celery was laughing that entire dinner as Lydia pretty much used Owen as a shield to keep everyone even Sandy from making comments about her body. Celery laughed again and the rest of the girls held back their smirks as Dorothy helped Angela put on her costume one that matched her name. An angel costume Fox style as all the costumes were except for Lydia's. It was fitted to her like a second skin.

The guys were in the room of Ryan Paceton. His room being larger then the others. Bluestone noted that he was a very large young man. With his dark thick wavy hair and rugged good looks. That very muscled body of his, stood out. What other costume then Superman would suit him. Bluestone went with that of Batman, a heads up from Xanatos on what Celery would be wearing. Lexington was a character from the wizard of Oz, one of the lollypop league. Broadway was dressed as a chief, and Brooklyn was no where to be found.

He had elected to help Sandy, Lars and Joy with the kids themed Party along with Maria and Hudson they would all be dressed as characters from Disney. The girls Ebbie and Annie would be dressed as well also. Alex and Lanie were already with them in the smaller play room which was all decked out for the kids party. Tonight even the Castle staff had their kids invited to the children's party and all were devoted employees checked out by the Xanatos family so the sight of a Gargoyle or two didn't faze them. Most were members of P.I.T. and of course thrilled to party with real live Gargoyles.

The Xanatos family was busy. Owen stood dressed as a patient with Ms. Prudinski dressed as Marilyn Monroe. Xanatos as Henry the eighth holding his wife in his arms who was dressed as Anne Boleyn. They worked the vortex as the Mazas', mutates, and several members of the Ishamora clan came through. The last to enter were Griff and King Arthur. Xanatos looked pleased as he and his wife greeted their surprise guests.

They then had them escorted to the grand hall where the party was set to begin. Fox eyed David as she spoke.

"Well at least the Maza's were civil to you." Xanatos kissed his wife.

"Of course my dear, they don't want to upset Ms. Prudinski who seems to command the attention of everyman here." Fox giggled.

"Except Owen and of course the missing Macbeth." Xanatos smiled.

"You know I think there's more to that love hate relationship with Demona then he lets on." Fox wrapped her arm around David's waist.

"I think Macbeth realizes that if anyone can change Demona, it has got to be him especially now that she's no longer a gargoyle." David hugged Fox as they entered the room and kissed.

"Let's hope that spell lasts for a very long time."

Mrs. Prudinski was in all her glory as she was the center of attention to King Arthur, Griff and even Peter and Derek Maza. Elisa and Goliath joined in and the rest of the castle guests made their way into the party. The last to arrive were the children with the remaining gargoyles who all were as delighted and surprised as were Elisa and Goliath to see friends and family.

After some snacks and drinks Xanatos clinked his glass as the room settled down.

"Ladies and Gentlemen I have an announcement to make. Ms. Prudinski has a gift for our future bride and groom that is from both the Xanatos and Prudinski families."

He turned to Ms. Prudinski as she snapped her gloved fingers and a large white box appeared out of thin air.

"I now turn to you dear lady." Ms. Prudinski gave a rueful smile and then spoke.

"Elisa, Goliath here is but a token of our love and joy that we all feel about your up coming wedding." She presented the box to the stunned pair.

Goliath had Elisa open it to see two beautifully crafted gold rings with designs that could only be hand made and both encrusted with diamonds. And for Elisa an engagement ring as well with a large seven carat diamond that matched her wedding band. The design which as both she and Goliath looked closely consisted of the entwining of both their initials. Elisa looked at Goliath whose broad smile said everything that they both were feeling as they hugged Ms. Prudinski and Fox choosing to shake Xanatos' hand as all in the party giggled at that.

As the party went on introductions were made all around. With the children and babies enjoying themselves happily. Elisa did a double take as she stood talking to Dorothy to see her mother, Maria Chavez, Ms. Prudinski and Fox Xanatos all seated together on one of the large sofas discussing children. Julius was dressed as the scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz and Ellis of course the Lion.

Elisa thought that they should be switched due to Ellis' lack of a brain most of the time. Pamela looked cute as a witch and was running around with Annie and Ebbie. Sandy sat near Brooklyn both dressed as Jasmine and Aladdin while Hudson was dressed as the clock from Beauty and the Beast and Maria was dressed as the teakettle. Lars was a good-looking prince Charming with Joy as Cinderella.

The girls were fairies with wings. Alex was dressed as a Mini Clark Kent and Lanie as Lois Lane. Both had a look that said this was not the costume that they were in earlier on tonight. Joy let it slip to Fox that Alex had changed both his and Lanie's costumes with a giggle. Fox told her to just ignore it by the time he passed out the costumes would change back to the regular Disney costumes they were before.

The party was in full swing with dancing being done by Bluestone and Celery. Kai and his mate spoke with Griff and King Arthur. Ashinoa sat with Lexington deep in conversation. A young attractive but plump light yellow female gargoyle whose name was Mai was talking to Broadway. Elisa had learned that she was actually a Chinese gargoyle but that her mother had made her way to Japan when her home was attacked and there she had been raised in Kai's clan.

Elisa smiled. Broadway looked like old Broadway, happy and joking as was the rest of the clan. She noted that even Angela sat talking with Ryan Paceton of course as the two looked like no one else was around so caught up in deep conversation. Goliath squeezed her hand. She looked up into his dark eyes as he too looked at his daughter with the big human male who seemed to be all involved with whatever Angela was saying to him. Griff came over and spoke.

"So is your Angela going to mate with a human as well?" Elisa looked at Goliath she was used to the bluntness of the gargoyle culture by now. Goliath spoke.

"I do not know. But I know she cares for him and I think he cares for her as well. As for their becoming mates, only time will tell." Griff grinned.

"Well I can tell he's not blind and judging by what some of the female gargoyles from Japan are saying they believe he'll make a fine gargoyle mate for her even if he is human." Elisa stared as she spoke.

"Oh and why's that?" Griff laughed.

"Good grief you two. Look at the muscles on that man. He's tall in height and broad too. Hell Goliath he's nearly as big as you and by human standards that's huge."

Elisa and Goliath both stared at each other then at Ryan as he and Angela sat by one of the windows talking. They hadn't noticed it much before because with his tailored suits on Ryan looked regular. But now dressed in that superman costume he looked like the man of steel himself only larger then life. Goliath rubbed his chin. Xanatos came over.

"Something wrong you two?" Goliath looked at Xanatos.

"I think I need a favor." Xanatos grinned.

"No problem." As he and Goliath walked off. Griff took Elisa by the hand.

"Well my lady you only have a few more weeks as a single woman, let's dance shall we?" Elisa laughed as she made her way onto the dance floor.

Just about everyone was dancing including now Angela and Ryan. Who Elisa noted, was a good four inches taller then Angela even with her gargoyle feet. Elisa just looked stunned. After the dance with Griff then her brother and even her father. Elisa got Dorothy alone.

"I need to ask you a question?" Dorothy looked worried about the serious look on Elisa's face.

"Shoot." She replied.

"Is there anything strange to you about Ryan. His size I mean?" Dorothy just shook her head.

"Elisa there's a reason Ryan is so big." Dorothy moved them towards a doorway that lead to an outer hallway.

"Ryan suffered from hypopituitarism as a young boy. It's a disease that affects your pituitary gland and causes extreme growth. Ryan's father worked like a dog as he was growing up to find any company that had the medication to stop his rapid growth and it was one of the reasons why their mom left their father as the money ran out. Not to mention the fact that she wanted more money than their poor father ever had." Dorothy and Elisa walked down the hallway stopping by an empty room.

"Ryan was found treatment by the Reynard foundation and luckily with the monthly doses that he's given the condition has not killed him as it has so many who never live to see his age. Ryan and Pam don't like to talk about it much. It kinda makes him feel like a freak. But he's too blind to see that he's an attractive young man anyway." Dorothy sat down as Elisa did when they entered the room.

"He is so caught up in work and taking care of his family that he's a bit self- conscience. Ryan never really notices young women are looking at him in a good way. He's too centered on taking care of his business and family. Hell he works out like a madman." Elisa looked stunned.

"This guy has no idea how much the female gargoyles and human women are checking him out?" Dorothy laughed.

"Elisa if you had been borne with a disease where in the old days people with your condition were circus freaks wouldn't you be surprised that people found you attractive?" Elisa nodded her head as she paced slowly around the room. Dorothy smiled as she went on.

"Ryan is taller then most women he meets and he's bigger all around. He actually intimidates most people and he is well aware of that. That's why his company has few employees and he can do everything from his computers. With his company merging with Reynard's, it's perfect for him to stay away from the general public. He's no freak to you or me but in his head Ryan still has that 'I'm different' mentality. He doesn't want his sister or anyone to ever go through what he did." Elisa looked solemn.

"How old was he when it started?" Dorothy sipped her drink.

"He was born with it. At age two he looked like a four year old and by the time Reynard's company was found he was about eight and luckily they had controlled his growth spurts with drugs and with diet and exercise. He now leads a normal life for a young man who just looks like he ought to be on a comic book cover." Elisa smiled weakly. The whole thing shocked and stunned her.

"I guess I can understand now why he's so shy around Angela." Dorothy laughed.

"Well if Pam has her way, Angela is going to marry her brother if she has to hog tie the two of them to get there. According to Pamela, Angela is the first woman he's actually seemed so relaxed around." Elisa grinned as Dorothy crossed her legs swirling her drink.

"In fact that college counselor of hers was on the make for Ryan especially after she met him at the campus mixer. She even tried running that old tune of your sister needs help with her classes. That irked Pam like nothing I've ever seen. Now she's really pleased Ryan likes Angela. Really Pam was just worried about Ryan's always working and ignoring any social life he should have." Elisa looked wistful.

"Hey I can understand her. My family kind of drove me crazy with that until I met Goliath and then it seems like everybody knew what the two of us kept running away from the fact that we loved each other." Dorothy started laughing.

"Yeah Angela told us about your Avalon world tour. She said it was so obvious to everyone but the two of you. It just struck her as strange that you two didn't know it." "Oh that's nothing after the guys moved back here." Elisa leaned up against a large table.

"Fox admitted that she and Xanatos had bets as to when we'd get together." Dorothy started howling with laughter that brought Diane Maza into the room to see what the two were doing.

"Elisa, Honey is everything alright?" Elisa just kissed her mother on the cheek. "Mom things couldn't be better."

Xanatos and Goliath sat in his office. On the large computer screen Xanatos had before them the entire history of Ryan Paceton and his kid sister. Goliath looked somber and finally spoke.

"So this young man has had his own share of pain. First a disease that made him feel an outcast from other humans. Then a mother who abandoned his family when he was six and his sister still an infant. And at fifteen to have his father die and have to hold the family together." Xanatos spoke quietly.

"He's quite a remarkable young man. I was stunned to learn that Halcyon had made him his ward back then and didn't know why, but after reviewing what my people found out I see what Reynard sees in him. He's a strong and noble young man."

Goliath sat deep in though. Xanatos was still looking at his report on the computer.

"Do you know that in the spring he's going to have his great aunt come live with them. By all reports she very eccentric and elderly but Ryan won't hear of her staying in a nursing home when he has the means to care for her full time." Goliath sighed.

"Then it seems my worries are for nothing. If he and my daughter do seek to become mates then I can think of no better human for her then him." Xanatos smiled.

"Let's just hope Demona feels the same way." Goliath looked pensive as he whispered.

"Demona."

Macbeth was enjoying the sweets almost as much as Demona who looked like a kid in a candy store as she sat savoring each bite of the German chocolate cake.

"This cake is truly divine." Macbeth laughed.

"I'm glad you think so, Broadway made it." Demona almost choked.

"Broadway." She gasped.

"Yes the lad's a fine chief and has a knack for cooking like no one I've ever seen and I as you well know am over a thousand years old and would know good cooks from great ones." Demona looked at Macbeth.

"Don't try to pretend that you're the only immortal here. I may not be a gargoyle for now but I'm still immortal." Macbeth gave her a glance as he sipped his wine.

"And how do you know that lass?" Demona looked at her plate as she played with another piece of cake.

"When I got to France five nights after the incident, I jumped off a large building near my hotel, just to the back of it, where no one could see me and awoke after some time alive and in pain but starting to heal." Macbeth winced.

"Are ya draft? Who does things like that?" He drank some more of his wine.

"Aye. I've forgotten who I was dining with." Demona put down her fork.

"And why are you dinning with me anyway? Is this another spell from the weird sisters or is this a new one?" Macbeth laughed.

"Nay Lass it's just two old enemies who are trying to remember that before all the hatred and hurt they were once friends who supped together long ago and should go back to being friends and ease the ache of loneliness that comes from watching too many we loved die." Demona sat very still and then breathed out.

"Loneliness. It's become my only friend after everything I've gone through and done. I'm really tired of being lonely." She looked stunned that the words had come from her lips and saw the look of acknowledgement in Macbeth's eyes.

"You don't have to tell me Lass. I was there. Remember." Demona glared at him.

"Shut up you old fool and stop drinking so much. If you get drunk, you can't use that flyer of yours to go home." Macbeth had to laugh as Demona ate her cake trying to not laugh herself.

The party was winding down for the children as the adults had to take most of the younger ones to bed. The older kids were barely hanging on trying to avoid sleepiness as the hours went by. Soon enough it was around two o'clock in the morning and now even the teenagers were calling it a night as Kai, his mate and the members of his clan had to go home. The English group decided to call it a night as well as did the Mazas and their troop of mutates and clones.

It was a delight for everyone to see how advanced the clones had gotten with their education. Delia of course was above the group with her ability to read and reason. Griff had seemed enchanted with her. That fact wasn't lost on Elisa or Goliath. Even Maggie whom Delia looked up too was stunned. The English gargoyle was smitten. Delia seemed rather bashful at his attentions.

Ms. Prudinski and Owen worked the vortex to get them all home as the clock struck three. Fox had to call it a night with Xanatos following his wife to their chambers. Most of the Castle staff said their goodnights along with the gargoyles and castle company. Ms. Prudinski was restless. She had a marvelous time tonight but needed a stroll around the Parapets even with the snow and cold. The stone floors were heated so there was no ice or wet snow as it melted and dried quickly.

She wrapped a large shawl around her and walked into the cool evening air. The hair spell that she'd cast to make her hair short and blonde was now off. Her normal length and natural hair color were now returned. The snowfall had come to a lull as she looked at the pitch-blackness of the sky. Nary a star shone when she saw a figure gliding far from the castle but seen with her keen eyes as that of a gargoyle the same size as Goliath. She knew in an instance that this was Thailog.

She watched him for some time as he did looping circles on the cool currents that ran this high up in the sky. She then noted when he landed some one hundred feet from the castle on another buildings rooftop. She knew just by instinct that he had seen her and decided that she would leave the parapet very at ease so that he would not know she was aware of him. She made her way down the stone stairs and quickly checked the defense system which was running smoothly. With a sigh she went to bed.

Thailog had seen the figure of a woman on the parapets of the castle. He'd become aware of her with his gargoyle eyes. She was not Fox Xanatos. No she was taller and not as slender as Fox. She was not Goliath's detective and not his daughter either. She was human and very stunning to look at but, who she was, was a mystery to Thailog.

He felt this strange urge to find out and as he glided back towards his home he would put out feelers tomorrow to see what information he could get on the Xanatos home. Anton would have a fit not wanting to tangle with Xanatos but with enough money you bought information. Besides despite the storms their business was booming thanks to wars all over the world and people who lost limbs like Thailog in horrible accidents. He would find out who the tall fine figured human woman was.

Elisa awoke as she felt the rise and fall of the bed as Goliath slept peacefully. They had talked about Angela and Ryan and concluded that if the two found love together then they would not interfere. Goliath would allow Angela to make her own decision. Elisa sat up. Her gut told her something was wrong. She walked to the big window and felt the need to peek out behind the large heavy drapes that covered the balcony. She saw just in time the winged figure of Thailog moving swiftly in the air as the snow came down again. She felt a shiver run up her spine.

'Great now he comes around.' Elisa rubbed her shoulders. She then felt a large hand touch her arm.

"Are you alright my love?" Elisa turned and wrapped her arms around Goliath.

"Just a little restless."

She let him walk her back to their large bed and curled up on his chest. Goliath kissed the top of her head and stroked her hair until she fell back to sleep. Goliath looked up at the ceiling. He too had felt an uneasiness that ran across him but he knew that feeling from the past, he only got it when Thailog was near. Goliath sensed that his evil clone had been near this night and he was not pleased. He didn't want anyone at the castle harmed and he would not allow Thailog to come near his mate. He pulled Elisa closer and wrapped a wing around her as she slept with a smile on her face. Goliath allowed the pleasure of that smile to let him too sleep.

The morning came slowly to Macbeth. He took in the surroundings of where he was. He didn't quit remember at first where he was then he noted the style of the rooms design and knew he had fallen asleep at Demona's home. He was in one of her guest bedrooms and he was in his underwear. He was alone as he quickly looked at the empty spot beside him on the bed. He had drank too much wine and the last thing he recalled was the door bell and a young woman bringing Demona some package.

He shook his head as he made himself recall that the young woman was Demona's personal assistant and the look of shock and surprise that ran across her face upon seeing Professor Lennox MacDuff in Ms. Destine's home. It had hit both him and Demona who was making so many quick comments to get the young woman out that Macbeth had started laughing and that was what had pushed him over the edge into passing out. He recalled hearing Demona calling him Lennox and shaking him to wake him up. But he was too deep in his cups to respond.

The voice of the young woman could be heard saying that the driver was outside and could put Professor MacDuff to bed. He held his aching head. He recalled now how a very large man had picked him up and thrown him over his shoulder. He had carried Macbeth up the stairs to a guest bedroom. Macbeth recalled hearing him asking the ladies to leave so he could undress him. Macbeth was pleased that he had left his wire at the castle and come as just a friend to see Demona. He was glad to bring her some Halloween cheer.

He noted that his clothes looked cleaned and refreshed. Did Demona steam them? He got up slowly and walked towards the bathroom. He knew he needed a shower just to get his head clearer. As he finished up and dressed he knew Demona was still asleep. In fact she was sleeping peacefully. She was dreaming about last night and the looks that ran across both the face of her assistant Linda and her driver Keith. Both had that look of 'Ohh.' written across their faces. Demona had to fight to keep the redness from running across her cheeks. The very thoughts that those two must have had upon seeing Ms. Destines' ex in her home enjoying dinner and wine with her. Especially when she was never was seen after dark.

Last night had been the one time both had seen her and not alone. The old beauty sleep line was going to wear thin in the office once word got out that the boss lady and her ex were keeping company at her home after dark. Demona shot up in bed with a start.

'Oh damn. Now I'll never get the smirks off their faces at the office with this.' She thought as she made her way to her bathroom to get ready for the day.

The Maza home was quiet as Peter and Diane Maza were up early seated at their kitchen table drinking coffee and talking about the fun they had at the Halloween party last night. Even how Derek had warmed up to the Xanatos' family mainly due to a very pregnant Fox whom he had slow danced with and even danced with a giggling Ebbie Gordon who seemed to have a crush on their panther skinned son. Even Claw got Annie Chavez smiling as she danced with him across the dance floor much to her mother's enjoyment. She and Hudson danced nearby laughing at the little school girl crushes that played on both girls faces.

The big news was that young man with Angela and how clearly they appeared to be going down the same road as Goliath and Elisa. Diane Maza sat with her cup in her hands.

"Well honey he does seem nice." Peter grinned.

"Right like you, Beth and Maggie weren't gushing over the fact of how much he looked like a real Superman." Diane just winked as she sipped her coffee looking up at her yawning youngest child coming slowly into the room.

"Morning all." Beth spoke still a bit sleepy.

"Have a good time last night honey?" Peter sat happily drinking his coffee.

"I had a great time. Michael is a fine dancer and you should see the suite that Elisa has at the castle. That bed alone is big enough for an army." Diane nearly choked as Peter patted her back gently.

"Calm down sweetheart, the wedding is just weeks away." Peter glared at Beth who silently went to get a cup of coffee.

Lydia was up and surprised that Sandy, Ebbie and Lanie were still asleep. She took a shower and sat in her living room area where she read the paper with a hot cup of tea. She heard the door chime. Fixed her robe and put on her slippers. She had on her underwear but today was a day off. She was still deciding what she wanted to do today. She opened the door to Owen. He gave her a smile and a quick good morning kiss as he handed her a letter folded with a wax seal. He bowed and then left. Lydia grinned and returned to her sofa with the letter.

It was formally written and an invitation to spend the day with Owen Burnett to do anything that Ms. Lydia Gordon wished to do with baby-sitting services provided by of all people Goliath and Elisa. Lydia burst out laughing and then quieted down when she realized that she would wake up the girls.

Elisa was up as was Goliath. They had talked with Owen two nights earlier when he had proposed the gift for Lydia. Elisa smiled as she put on her new black jeans with a soft cashmere white sweater. A gift from Goliath. The clan was raking in the dough selling the video games that Lexington invented. Broadway and Fox were working on cook books that would be making money for the clan as well. With his cakes and pastries recipes they would see more income.

Everyone who ate his food was always hungry for more. Elisa slipped on her soft black moccasins as Goliath wore his customary loincloth, but Elisa noted he was committed to wearing full dress clothing for their wedding. Both walked arm in arm out the large double doors of their rooms and headed for Lydia's apartment.

Celery was up and laughing. Bluestone had tried to kiss her last night and she had neatly maneuvered her way out of it by having him kiss Lanie instead who laughed herself silly every time she looked at Bluestone. That was a hoot as she and her cousin had talked about how the team of PI's she'd hired had the Dragon Lady running all over the world looking up false leads as to where she was.

Celery loved it. It would teach her mean old mother a lesson about thinking that everyone in her life could be brought and paid for just because she was wealthy. She jumped out of bed. Today was going to be good. Goliath and Elisa had Lanie and of course Alex today while she would take Ebbie and Annie for the day. Old stiff butt Owen wanted a special day for Lydia. Celery was in total agreement. She sashayed off to her morning bath and laughed as she thought about what she would wear today just to make old Bluestone weak in the knees.

Hudson was up with Maria Chavez making breakfast for the castle's inhabitants. Broadway was still asleep on cloud nine after meeting Mai of the Ishamora clan. Hudson had to giggle to think that after a thousand years in stone now the clan could began again to rebuilt after that awful night. He hugged Maria as she put down the silverware next to the plates. Most everyone last night had opted to stay in bed late today.

Meaning Brooklyn, Sandy, Pamela, Ellis, Dorothy, Julius even Lexington. He was so excited at meeting Ashinoa face to face last night that he knew he wouldn't be able to wake up for breakfast. Mainly because after she left last night they'd gone online and talked until about an hour before dawn. So the job of making breakfast was taken up by Hudson and Maria.

Elisa and Goliath walked in as a surprise to assist them.

"Well good morning you two Breakfast isn't quite ready yet just give us a few more minutes." Hudson was laying out the dishware. Goliath grinned.

"Old friend that is why we are here." Elisa gave Hudson a hug.

"Listen you we're here to help you and the captain get breakfast ready." Maria came out from the walk in freezer.

"Good then one of you help me get all these eggs and ham from out of here." Goliath went over and in one arm carried all the items that Maria was struggling with. Elisa grinned at Maria.

"It pays to have a gargoyle in your life." Maria laughed.

Hudson carried the large coffee and hot water dispensers and placed them on the dinning room hutch. Soon with the four of them working in unison eggs were scrambled, pancakes were made and even muffins of all variations were on the warming trays with toast and butter and assorted jams. Ham, bacon and sausage was cooked along with turkey links. Goliath brought out the many syrups and fresh honey with sliced lemons, milk, cream and soy milk as well. Soon the smell of the food was waking the still sleeping castle residents who all found themselves rushing for their baths and getting dressed.

Demona was dressed and seated at her kitchen table eyes glued to the news on her TV as Macbeth came quietly into the room. She eyed him hiding the need to laugh. He had the look of someone with a bad alcohol headache. She slowly got up and took from her fridge a large glass of tomato juice and aspirin and placed them in front of a very tired Macbeth.

"Thank you lass." He managed to get out rather slowly. Demona sipped her coffee before speaking.

"I warned you about drinking too much wine." Macbeth tried a grin but his head hurt. "And why aren't you feeling it too?" Demona grinned and pulled up her tray cover. Inside was an empty glass that used to have tomato juice in it and a bottle of aspirin.

"I woke up just like you but luckily the other pills I took helped to hold back most of your wine drinking effects. Last night I was never so happy that I had taken them. I would have had a hell of a time trying to explain anything to my assistant and driver if I was as passed out drunk as you were last night." Macbeth moaned.

"What kind of damage control is going to be needed to stop this?" Demona laughed. "None I believe. Last night the sheer look of shock that ran across both their faces told me that either one would be too embarrassed to speak of what they saw in Ms. Destine's home last night. After all I'm never seen after dark and with that little faux pas last night. I figure that will explain why." Macbeth looked shocked.

"You want them to think that we're… we're…" Demona burst into laughter.

"Why not it solves so many problems for me as a human and this way no one will question as to why Ms. Destine never likes being disturbed at night." Macbeth glared at her.

"Fine for you then, but what about me? I'm a man and if I should start seeing a woman it's going to be hard trying to explain what ever rumor she's heard about Lennox MacDuff and his ex." Demona grinned.

"So who is this woman?" Macbeth nearly choked on his coffee.

"I think it's time for me to be leaving." He stared at Demona before he spoke.

"Lass you've changed a lot." Demona grinned then laughed.

"So have you old man, so have you." He breathed deeply as he put on his coat and strapped on his backpack.

"Anything you want to me to tell Angela?" Demona looked wistful then smiled. "Just tell her that I love her and I am sorry truly sorry for my stubborn and stupid ways." Macbeth grinned as he looked at the moisture that appeared in Demona's eyes.

"Aye Lass I think she'll be pleased to hear that."

Then he was out the door. Demona could hear the flier as it took off from her roof. She sat down on her window seat and reread the letter that she had managed to read this morning. Angela had written telling her mother that despite all the hurt and pain she still loved her. Never really knowing her and that she wished they could find common ground. One built on trust and love.

Angela had made a point of saying how wonderful the humans were who had raised her. That she wished her mother could understand that love could not be denied no matter the species, creed, color or belief. She closed by stating that if her mother could ever agree with that then maybe they could see a future together as Angela wanted one but only if the hating of humans was removed forever from Demona's heart. Demona stared at her now human reflection in the window.

Maybe that child sorcerer knew exactly what he was doing when he took away her gargoyle form. Maybe this was a punishment for all her sins against humanity and now here she was able to reproduce like a human female.

'Maybe this was his intent all along.' Demona thought as she sat watching the snowfall again and seeing the dismay that ran across the faces of the soldiers and clean up crew trying to keep the amount of snow and ice from encasing the city even farther.

Joy Jackson was up and seated with Lars on the Parapets under the overhang watching the falling snow. Today was a day off for her and she only wanted to spend it with Lars. Wrapped up in his wings and watching the snow fall as a weak sun tried to shine through.

"I wonder where Lydia is going with Owen in this weather?" Lars smiled as he stroked her hair.

"I believe my mother has some plan she hatched with Owen for today." Joy looked up at him.

"Plan?" Lars smiled.

"Don't worry, it's just some small vortex to take them to a place for a few hours where they can be alone." Joy had to smile.

"Well who would've thought stiff butt Owen could be romantic." Lars laughed. "Shame on Celery for calling him that. Owen is really okay just business like at times. His real persona of Puck is the extreme opposite of Owen." Joy shivered. "Yeah I read about him, nothing at all like Owen. Let's be thankful for old stiff butt." Lars laughed.

"I see you read what mother is writing in her new book on the history of mythical creatures." Joy signed.

"It's weird that the world doesn't believe what's right in front of their eyes." Lars hugged her.

"Not so weird as much as a coping mechanism. People tend to ignore or excuse what they can't comprehend and just call it a myth or urban legend." Joy grinned.

"Like when the news had those grainy photos of gargoyles years ago." Lars smiled. "Of course most humans refuse to believe something they can't imagine being real, so they simply call it a trick of the eye or something they thought they saw. Most humans are too frightened to believe that most myths are based upon reality and if they accept that then they lose control of the world they live in and have to face the fact that they can't control everything because they don't know how these beings came to be." Joy hugged Lars as she spoke.

"Maybe they should just realize no one can control everything so just leave it alone." Lars kissed the top of her head.

"Most humans who are in denial can't reason that well. They need to feel empowered and can't just let well enough alone. This Castaway character is a prime example of someone who knows he can't control everything but still refuses to stop trying and only makes his life and the lives of others worse." Joy kissed Lars.

"What fools these mortals be." Lars grinned as he kissed her back.

Bluestone was seated at the table with Broadway. He made a point of sitting away from Celery who was dressed in a pair of killer tight jeans and a plain tee shirt which clung to her figure. Her hair was brushed into a ponytail and she wore no makeup. Her look was simple but stunning because her natural beauty shone through and he knew why she looked like this today and it wasn't because she was keeping the girls either.

'Slick thinks I'll be crawling around her all day. Not this one.'

Bluestone made a point of talking to Broadway about his new interest Mia. Broadway for his part was more then eager to talk about her. Ryan Paceton and Angela were talking quietly in their seats near the door. Then Macbeth came in and whispered something to Angela who smiled weakly and then looked like she wanted to cry as she excused herself from the table. Goliath gave Ryan a head nod to go after her. Elisa gave him a big kiss on his cheek which Ebbie and Annie stared at as Sandy reminded them to eat their breakfast. Brooklyn just smirked until Sandy kicked him in his shin.

The college foursome where all engaged in eating and talking about how some professors were e-mailing assignments to their students for work to be done online. Fox rubbed her belly and Xanatos felt the kicks of his unborn child as the baby settled down after a large glass of apple juice seemed to calm the little one inside it's mother's belly. Maria laughed telling Fox about how rambunctious her own daughter was in the womb. Annie looked like she wanted to slide under the table.

Celery noted the two girls were though eating and took them off to start their day. Goliath and Elisa took Alex and Lanie and headed off for the playroom with both babies happily laughing and clapping as they knew their destination. Bluestone looked glum as Lexington winked at Broadway who suggested they all head for the gym to work out. Sandy, Brooklyn, Dorothy, Julius, Pamela and Ellis were going with them. Maria and Hudson began clearing the table. Xanatos helped and Macbeth took Fox to her rooms to get a quick nap. He returned quickly to assist in the clean up.

"So Macbeth what happened at Demona's last night? You never made it back for the party." Xanatos asked as he loaded dishes into the dishwasher. Hudson and Maria cleaned up the table and put away the leftovers.

"Nothing much, I just drank a little too much and had to be carried to a guest room by her driver. Who along with her assistant believes Demona and I are having some secret affair which we don't want publicized." Hudson, Maria and Xanatos all stopped what they were doing and in unison cried out.

"What!"

Goliath and Elisa were enjoying playing with the babies as Bronx and Cagney joined in. Alex was having a great time climbing up Goliath's broad back. Lanie just giggled as Goliath held her up on his shoulders letting Alex try to get there. Elisa was laughing when Bronx came over to knock a giggling Alex down on to the cushions that surrounded them. Cagney lay back resting against Elisa as she rubbed his stomach laughing at the babies. Goliath looked happy and content as the weak sun came in to the windows. Soon Alex was crawling his way to Elisa where in his defeat he made himself comfy in Elisa's arms. Lanie giggled as she played with Goliath's hair and made the big gargoyle laugh as she attempted to braid his hair, twisting his locks gently and looking as though she knew what she was doing.

Ms. Prudinski had just sent Owen and Lydia through the vortex and was now sitting in her lab relaxing with a hot cup of tea. She'd heard Macbeth was back but really didn't feel the need to be near him. The attention from him, and King Arthur was nice, but she just wanted some alone time. She was spoiled and had gotten used to being alone for sometime now even with Lars. He was grown now and he only needed a mate. He'd found one in another human and not as she had hoped with another gargoyle.

But Ms. Prudinski was a realist. She knew she couldn't make him love another and wouldn't dream of hurting her son. Love was love as far as she was concerned and no one had the right to deny two people from falling in love with each other even if the world objected to it. She sipped her tea and worked on her new book. The pen she used worked on the paper by itself. She simply sent her thoughts to the pen to be written down as she laid back on her divan, crossed her legs and sipped more tea as she worked.

Macbeth had the three howling as he relied the events of last night to them. Maria was at the table laughing so hard that Hudson had to sit down beside her. Xanatos had to grab a napkin to wipe his face. Tears were running down his face.

"I can just imagine what her employees will think now when they see Ms. Destine the ice woman." Hudson was wiping the tears from his eyes as Xanatos spoke.

"Aye lad and can you imagine what the students of the proud Professor MacDuff will think when word comes out that he's keeping nights with his ex." Both started laughing again as Maria saw the look of cool anger smoldering on Macbeth's face. "Oh come on ya thunderheads. I'm sure that neither employee will talk just think if they do. Demona will have them both on the unemployment line."

Then all stopped laughing looked at each other then Macbeth and then all three started laughing again. Macbeth just shook his head and drank some coffee as he clicked on the TV. The newscast was on just as the weatherman had finished saying one more storm front was on the way when the entertainment reporter was brought on.

"Well folks the big news on the old icy big apple is that amidst all this fowl weather love blooms for some New Yorkers." Macbeth and the trio all got quiet.

"Our around the way reporter Joan Banning, had her camera filming yesterday morning when she spotted professor Lennox MacDuff carrying his ex-wife Dominique Destine to a store and then back to her home. To add icing to the cake the Professor was seen leaving her home early this morning. Are these two married again? Even in snowbound New York love still blooms." Macbeth nearly choked as all three started laughing again.

Brooklyn was standing by the monitor in the gym with everyone watching with their jaws practically on the floor. He slowly turned to stare at Sandy. She looked at everyone else. Just then Angela and Ryan entered.

"Well we heard you guys were in here." Ryan stopped short with Angela when they looked at their faces. Angela looked worried.

"What's wrong?" Sandy jumped up.

"Nothing. We just stopped to work out the stiffness in our bodies." Everyone pretended to be stretching and moving their stiff bodies. Angela looked at Sandy as if she were crazy. Brooklyn shook his head.

"No need to cover she'll hear about it sooner or later." He turned on to a cable channel that centered around gossip. Sure enough the film of Macbeth carrying Demona to and from the store was on. Followed by footage of him leaving her home early this morning. The reporter was adding fuel to the fire that maybe they were rekindling an old romance. Angela stood very still then burst into laughter as Ryan and all gathered laughed with her.

"Oh my." Angela spoke between laughs.

"Macbeth is going to have a fit."

Goliath was howling as Elisa was on the phone calming her mother down as the news was running across the screen in the playroom. Xanatos in between smirks had informed them of what had happened. Goliath was loving every minute of it. Finally Elisa was able to get off the phone.

"Very funny."

She sat down beside Goliath with Alex and Lanie both huddled in between their arms falling into an early nap. Goliath had settled down but still couldn't get that grin off his face.

"Well at least Macbeth has a sense of humor about it." Elisa leaned on Goliath.

"At this point it's all he can have."

Anton Seravruis was seated in his lab staring in utter horror at the screen. "Affair? in love? Those two! Has the world gone mad?" He couldn't wait until night came to let his partner see this bit of news. He went back to his new experiment a new limb made from a cobalt steel that was stronger then his last attempt. He shook his head still trying to get the image of Macbeth and Demona out of his head.